Momsquad Triathletes: Danskin website, 2008 races

www.danskin.com/triathlon.html

Answers questions, gives basic info

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If you are reading this you were probably sent here by myself, Ross or Nikki or one of our friends.
My story is that I am the anti-athlete, mom of 2, who sporadically exercised (usually a walk or pilates DVD). My friends asked if I wanted to join them for the Danskin Triathlon. 'Sure', I thought, secretly knowing it was several months away and I had a lot of time to back out. Then a few months before, I started to give it serious thought. Turning 35 this year (baseline mammogram time..yikes) I realized I needed to practice what I preached (I'm a nurse practitioner). I see moms daily who tend to put themselves last on the list of things to do. I strongly believe that we are better wives, mothers, and people when we carve out time for ourselves and exercise.
So I decided to take this seriously. I started with running (something I had NEVER done before). My 1st time out I ran for a few seconds then walked, then ran again. "I did it" ..I didn't collapse, nobody stared at me or yelled "keep moving fatty", and I did not end up with 2 black eyes. So I kept it up, getting a bit better every time. Then came the bike.
Hadn't been on one since age 10, found leg muscles I completely forgot about..but I did it.
I felt bipolar throughout the last month before the triathlon: one minute excited, the next self doubting and nervous. Fortunately I was doing this with 2 amazing ladies who were just as bipolar about it and we kept each other relatively sane.
The weekend came. We went to the expo on saturday. Sally Edwards (world class triathlete and the professional "last finisher") gave a moving speech. I started to panic about the swim and frantically bought new goggles ($25, I would have spent $1000 if they helped). We spent the night at a hotel...I think we slept. In the morning we were psyched despite the thunder and downpours (I prayed they would cancel the swim). We put on out trisuits (think girdle w/ shorts), packed the car, gagged down protein bars and headed to the race.
The swim....made it 20 feet and panicked...bigtime. I did not train and have irrational water fears. Nikki, who had trained diligently talked me down and pushed me along. They offered me a swim noodle (No Way after working this hard was I going to noodle it). I swam/doggy paddled my way through. Nikki stayed w/ me the entire time despite the fact that she could have swam 3 x's as fast and I will always remember that.
The bike, starts off very exciting. Mile 4 of the race (12 miles total) is literally uphill. Did some walking w/ the bike. Amazed and humbled as 60 year olds and 300 lb women blew past me "on your left!!".
The run: or in my case the jog/walk. Nice lady who had a back injury (she was still faster than me) told me I would have done better on the bike if I had a bike helmet not a skateboarding helmet....EMBARRASSING. I told you...not an athlete.
Saw the end of the race, started actually running, bigtime adrenaline...saw Nikki and Ross at the finish (they blew me out of the water...they were secret athletes in denial)
Cried like a baby...smelled like a hog (my husband held his breath to hug me). I have been on a high ever since. Still get choked up talking about it.
Cant wait to do this again.
I will keep up the exercise. I will encourage others to do this. I will kick some butt next year. I will get better deoderant.

Momsquad Triathletes

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Danskin website, 2008 races

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